Literacy news
Publishers laud prospect of “TV Kids Book Club”
8 Aug 2011
Publishers have welcomed the news that Amanda Ross, Cactus TV Managing Director, may launch a television programme dedicated to children’s books.
Ross is understood to be awaiting news from a sponsor, before giving the green light for the show to be broadcasted on C4 later this year.
On the potential sustainability of the show, Ross said:
“The difference with a kid’s book club [compared to an adult book club] is that there are so many perennials, and you have the chance to explore authors and books, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Gruffalo, that are popular year after year. The show could have much more longevity. It doesn’t just need to be about newly published books.”
Helen McAleer, Walker Books managing director, who has a background in television, said:
“Anything that gives support to our industry in another media is a good thing. We have some of the best creatives in the world and getting that out to a wider audience would be great. A straight review show might be tricky but if they could bring in digital content such as apps then it broadens the possibilities.”
Gillian Laskier, group sales director at Egmont Press, said the idea “feeds into” the government’s literacy concerns at the moment. She added:
“The big challenge will be in getting children to watch a programme about books. If she can do that, then children will have no problem pestering their parents to get them the books they want.”
Read more at the Bookseller.
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